(2018-02-03) CANADA: Ontario Special Investigations Unit investigating after man dies in Timmins [[tasered, then shot, then died // watchdog]]

[DEATH: unnmaned man on 3 February 2018 in Timmins, Ontario]

TIMMINS – Ontario’s special investigations unit (SIU) is investigating the death of a man in Timmins.

The SIU is a civilian agency, which investigates death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault in incidents involving police, posted the statement to Twitter Saturday afternoon.

“SIU investigating the death of man this morning in Timmins, in area of James Avenue and Brunette Road. Further information to come this afternoon,” stated the tweet.

At least four police vehicles were blocking access to Gillies Lake as of 11:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

James Mongrain told The Daily Press he saw someone running across Gillies Lake around 10:15 a.m. this morning. The witness claims he heard three shots being fired. Mongrain said the officer used a taser on a suspect, then fired the shots when the suspect began moving towards the officer.

This has not been confirmed by the Timmins Police Service or the SIU.

“It was pretty scary,” said Mongrain, who added that an ambulance was on scene shortly after.

The TPS issued a statement Saturday afternoon.

“At approximately 10 a.m., an incident occurred in the area of Brunette Road and James Avenue. The scene is being held by police,” the release stated.

“Please note that public safety is not a concern. The public is asked to avoid the area to allow for further investigation.”

The area includes the parking lot of the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board and the parking lot of Gillies Lake, as of Saturday afternoon.

The Special Investigations Unit has invoked its mandate, therefore no further information is available, stated the release, which noted that all further releases will come from the SIU.

Bystanders noted that the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs trail L24 was blocked between the Neo Laser Tag parking lot and Highway 655. Police tape was strung up across access to the trail at Neo Laser Tag on Brunette Road.

The official OFSC trail map online shows that portion in red/unavailable, but the rest of the trail is currently available.